NEWSLETTER July 2010 No horse gets anywhere until he is harnessed. No stream or gas drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined. Harry Emerson Fosdick From the Headmaster s Desk Last month I spoke about the lack of chill despite it being winter, this was due to the amount of work which has been carried out around the Academy. That pace of work has continued into this month. The apprentices started their schooling on the 5 th July; the academic staff committed themselves to start earlier than other schools to help make up time, that has been lost during the year; the contractors have completed the roof on the indoor arena, and thanks to a generous grant provided by the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund, the new equiciser (racehorse simulator), has been installed. The FIFA World Cup came to an end, but the excitement and the energy at the Academy has continued due to the Vodacom Durban July, a highlight on the apprentices calendar. This year it was run at the end of July as opposed to historically the beginning of July. Also mentioned in the previous newsletter was the start of the world cup which prompted Mr Jonsson to ask questions about the existing standard of the Academy s facilities. Mr Jonsson sent out 405 letters of appeal for donations, to help us realise this dream. To those people who have responded positively, I would like to thank you for your kindness. The apprentices have had a number of outings again this month, the highlight being a visit to the Vodacom Durban July. However the event that created the greatest excitement was the installation of the new equiciser. You could feel the excitement in the air. There was much jostling to get into the room to see what was going on, and after the final connection was made, the pressure was on to see who would be the first to give it a test run. During the month of July, a number of apprentices have achieved their goals. On the 18 th July at the Mercury Sprint held at Clairwood, we were privileged to witness Teaque Gould ride his first winner on Pagan Dance in the 7 th race, for trainer Charles Laird. At the same race meeting we also presentated a trophy to Juan Paul van der Merwe for winning the first leg of the Phumelela Gold Apprentice Challenge. In second place was Hennie Greyling and third place went to Ryan Curling. At Scottsville on Sunday the 25 th July, we celebrated another first time winner, when Sanele Duma won on Candid Girl, in the 5 th race, for trainer Dennis Drier.
Teaque Gould winning on Pagan Dance at Clairwood Teaque is led into the winner s enclosure Sanele Duma s first win on Candid Girl at Scottsville Smiling apprentices and groom lead a proud Sanele into the parade ring One of our staff members, Mrs Karla Higgs was also in fine form when she walked away with the KZN Dressage Medium Championships. We congratulate her on her achievement. Finally we congratulate Julius Mariba who was the Professional Apprentice of the month winning the right to wear the Gold Cap. Best wishes Graham Bailey Julius Mariba sporting his Gold Cap 2
Some important dates to remember DATE ACTIVITY Thursday 23 September 3 rd term ends Monday 4 October 4 th term starts Friday 3 December 4 th term ends 26 29 October Apprentice interviews for 2011 intake (throughout SA) Wednesday 15 December break up day Forthcoming Events DATE Friday 27 August Saturday 18 September Friday 9 October Tuesday 7 December EVENT SAJA Charity Race Day at Arlington, Port Elizabeth SAJA Charity Race Day at Turffontein, Johannesburg SAJA Charity Race Day at Greyville, Durban Annual Speech Day and Prize-Giving Ceremony The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) provides the Academy with a grant of R1.1 million The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) has provided the South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) with a grant of R1. 1 million to be used for training and educating apprentice jockeys for the horse racing industry in South Africa. In accordance with the agreement between SAJA and the NLDTF, the grant will be used for the following: To purchase a state-of-the-art racehorse simulator. This piece of equipment, imported from the UK, will enable apprentice jockeys to: o Practice race strategies o Practice technical riding skills o Recover from injuries with safe programmable routines o Increase fitness, strength and stamina o Train in all weather at any time o Video their own action and play-back for analysis in the classroom environment o Practice effective use of the whip o Practice good balance while riding o Practice navigating through the field o Practice effective contact through the bit o Practice riding unfamiliar racecourses and distances 3
Apprentice, Tshepiso Mashaba, Gerrit Olwagen and Doctor Lembethe watch Jason Smitsdorff riding our new state-of-the-art race horse simulator imported from the UK and sponsored by the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund. The development of learning material and resources for qualifications based on Thoroughbred Horse Racing for apprentice jockeys and facilitators. The refurbishment of the Academy s training track. This will include the repair and replacement of post and rail fencing, replenishment and levelling of the track surface and the installation of an irrigation system. The transportation of the Academy s riding masters to capacity building workshops held nationwide. These workshops address the following issues: o To keep abreast with the latest apprentice training techniques o Academy training strategies o Update on all apprentice riding progress o Disciplinary issues o Update on the placement and relocation of apprentices at Academies throughout South Africa o Annual intake of new apprentices recruitment o Policies and procedures regarding current apprentice weights and well-being o Forthcoming Academy events o Financial issues The generous financial support of the NLDTF will no doubt assist the South African Jockey Academy (SAJA) to continue to maintain its high level of excellence in producing leading international champion jockeys who are academically well rounded and equipped with the skills for life says Graham Bailey, headmaster of the Academy. We are extremely grateful for the funding provided by the NLDTF and look forward to a long term mutual beneficial partnership. By Charles Grey First Year Apprentices Visit East Coast Radio Our first year apprentices had the fantastic opportunity to visit East Coast Radio (ECR). On our arrival at the ECR offices we were given a warm welcome by Hazel Pillay. Thobi at ECR was our 4
guide and she took us on an interesting, informative and fun tour of the ECR offices and studios. The first stop was the sales office where advertising space is sold. She then showed us the offices of the managing director and other administration staff. Next stop was the busy news room which was filled with journalists. Then the tour got really interesting when they invited the apprentices into one of their recording studios. The apprentices got a chance to record and listen to a playback of the following statement: we are the apprentice jockeys from the South African Jockey Academy and you re listening to East Coast Radio, Durban s No. 1. It took nearly ten takes to get this right I must add that we all had a good laugh. Apprentices having at great time in the East Coast Radio recording studio The highlight of the tour was an extremely interesting visit to one of the live studio s, where ECR DJ, Neville Pillay continued to present live on air, and during music and advertising breaks chatted to our apprentices. Neville has a great sense of humour and had us all in stitches. ECR DJ, Neville Pillay demonstrates the workings of a live studio to our appies A big thank you to all at ECR for this wonderful opportunity! By Charles Grey 5
Karla Higgs wins KZN Dressage Medium Championships Our very own Karla Higgs from our accounts department competed in the KZN Dressage Championships that took place at the Shongweni Club from the 16 th to the 18 th of July. We delighted to announce that Karla won the KZN Medium Championships. The competition was tough as she had to compete against imported warm bloods. The judges awarded a delighted Karla with a floating trophy, cash prize, a medal, a sash and rosette and a selection of gift vouchers. The board, management, staff and apprentices congratulate Karla on her outstanding achievement. Judges, Sue Bass and Sue Horn present a happy Karla with her award. Karla and Alzu Cascade celebrate their victory with a lap of honour By Charles Grey Academy to feature on SABC 1 s YO TV A production crew (producer, presenter and camera man) from SABC 1 s popular youth programme YO TV flew in from Johannesburg to film a special documentary on apprentice jockey training and education at the Academy for their young viewers (5 million). They covered the following: The first year apprentices training and riding at the Academy track Apprentices grooming their horses and mucking out stables Teaque Gould s celebratory braai for his first win Apprentices working for trainers at Summerveld track Apprentices in the classroom Apprentices taking fitness instruction and working out in the Gym Training on our new race horse simulator Interviews with Graham Bailey (headmaster), Rhys van Wyk (head riding master), James Goodman (trainer), Charles Grey (marketing manager), Jeremy Downing (fitness instructor) and apprentices Teaque Gould, Mandla Ntuli, Athandiwe Mgudlwa and Bill Greenwood from Racewood, the inventor and supplier of our new racehorse simulator. Rhys van Wyk giving the YO TV presenter a riding lesson which had our apprentices in stitches. Apprentices racing and working at the Vodacom Durban July. 6
This fun and informative documentary will be flighted on SABC 1 on Saturday 14 August and on other youth orientated shows during August. A smiling Mandla being interviewed at the training track at Summerveld Rhys van Wyk giving Sindi Myeza, YO TV presenter, a riding lesson Sindi interviews Athandiwe Mgudlwa at the stables Sindi, the first television presenter to ride our new racehorse simulator Apprentices recognized and rewarded for their academic achievements NAME DESCRIPTION AWARD SUBJECT ACHIEVEMENTS GRADE 10 Lenisha Lakhrajh 1 st Position in Grade 10 97% for Stable Management 83% for Business Studies Donovan Dillon 92% for Stable Management Xolani Ngcongo 88% for Stable Management Julius Mariba 85% for Stable Management Kerwin Theron 84% for Stable Management GRADE 11 Tshepiso Mashaba 1 st Position in Grade 11 90% for Stable Management 7
81% for Business Studies 80% for Consumer Studies Gerrit Olwagen 93% for Stable Management Lincoln Masikela 92% for Stable Management Andile Ngcobo 85% for Stable Management Sanele Duma 83% for Stable Management 81% for Life Orientation GRADE 12 Teaque Gould 1 st Position in Grade 12 84% for Maths Literacy Stallone Lee Naidoo 84% for Maths Literacy COURAGE Donovan Dillon Showing initiative in Academic work Verbal praise at Assembly Lenisha Lakhrajh Showing initiative in Academic work Verbal praise at Assembly Teaque Gould Showing initiative in Academic work Verbal praise at Assembly Tshepiso Mashaba Showing initiative in Academic work Verbal praise at Assembly RESPONSIBILITY Nivasan Samuel Punctuality self motivation to adhere to time frames Verbal praise at Assembly Siyabonga Duma Schoolwork completed and being conscientious for a specific time Verbal praise at Assembly HARD WORK Jarryd Penny Consistent effort and good attitude towards Academic work Certificate & Movie Ticket Lenisha Lakhrajh Consistent effort and good attitude towards Academic work Certificate & Movie Ticket Exemplary project work Life Orientation & Equine Studies Certificate Teaque Gould Consistent effort and good attitude towards Academic work Certificate & Movie Ticket Exemplary project work Life Orientation & Equine Studies Certificate Tshepiso Mashaba Consistent effort and good attitude towards Academic work Certificate & Movie Ticket Exemplary project work Business Studies Certificate Stallone Lee Naidoo Exemplary project work Equine Studies Certificate GENERAL RESPONSIBILTY Athandiwe Mgudlwa Cleanliness / tidiness of self and dorms Movie Ticket SKILLS FOR LIFE Jarryd Penny Kerwin Theron Jason Smitsdorff Gerrit Olwagen Andile Ngcobo Lincoln Masikela 8
Nivasan Samuel Mandla Ntuli Xolani Ngcongo Julius Mariba Lenisha Lakhrajh Donovan Dillon Stallone Lee Naidoo Hennie Greyling Athandiwe Mgudlwa Jayson Dladla Apprentices recognized and rewarded for their riding skills NAME DESCRIPTION AWARD Julius Mariba Professional apprentice Gold Cap Teaque Gould Secured his first win Certificate & braai Sanele Duma Secured his first win Certificate & braai Xolani Ngcongo Started track work Certificate Thepiso Mashaba Started track work Certificate Girrish Goomany Started track work Certificate Apprentice birthdays celebrated during July Luzayn Lombaard Nivasan Samuel Nooresh Juglall Mathew O Donoghue Here s wishing you guys a very happy birthday and trust that you had an awesome day!!! Phumelela Gold Apprentice Challenge 1 st leg from February July 2010 2 nd leg August November 2010 Juan Paul van der Merwe won the first leg of the Phumelela Gold Apprentice Challenge with a fantastic 58 points. A special presentation took place at Clairwood Racecourse on the 18 th of July. Moga Pillay, Chairman of the KZN Chapter and Graham Bailey presented Juan Paul with his trophy. Hennie Greyling came second with a total of 42 points and in third place, Ryan Roy Curling with a total of 31 points. The second leg of this Challenge starts during August and ends during November 2010. 9
A delighted JP van der Merwe receives his trophy and cheque from Moga Pillay and Graham Bailey. Moga Pillay, Graham Bailey, Charles Grey and apprentices join JP in celebration of his win of the 1 st leg of the Pumelela Gold Apprentice Challenge Two Apprentice Challenge races took place during July. The first race at the Vaal on the 8 th of July was won by Tshwaro Appie on Xilomante. Nooresh Juglall came second on Single Minded and the third place went to Jassurick Jordaan on Shuffles. The second race took place at Clairwood on the 18 th of July and was won by Evert Pheiffer on Day Dreamer with Nooresh Juglall coming in second on Please to Progress and Vikram Sola coming in third on William Grant. The points to date are as follows: Total Position Apprentice Name Points 1 Juan Paul van der Merwe 58 2 Hennie Greyling 42 3 Ryan Roy Curling 31 4 Evert Pheiffer 29 5 Jassurick Jordaan 27 6 Nooresh Juglall 26 7 Jonathan Soll 21 8 Victor Morake 18 9 Tshwaro Appie 17 9 Aldo Domeyer 17 10 Athandiwe Mgudlwa 14 11 Doctor Sifiso Lembethe 13 12 Teaque Gould 11 13 Niven Marday 9 14 Vikram Sola 6 15 Jesen Vyapooree 4 16 Grant van Niekerk 3 The points system is as follows: 1 st Place 10 points 2 nd Place 6 points 3 rd Place 4 points 4 th Place 3 points 5 th Place 2 points 6 th Place 1 points 10
Apprentice Log Positions to Date for the Current Season (as at the 31 July 2010) LOG POSITION APPRENTICE WINS PLACES RIDES STRIKE RATE % 1 Aldo Domeyer 67 192 660 10.15 2 Juan Paul van der Merwe 59 184 647 9.12 3 Donavan Mansour 40 132 525 7.62 4 Jassurick Jordaan 36 106 404 8.91 5 Evert Pheiffer 32 105 578 5.54 6 Ryan Roy Curling 26 63 356 7.30 7 Grant van Niekerk 25 114 442 5.66 8 Gareth Wright 23 76 439 5.24 9 Jonathan Soll 23 75 339 6.78 10 Tshwaro Appie 18 80 448 4.02 11 Victor Morake 17 60 308 5.52 12 Johannes Greyling 12 52 229 5.24 13 Nooresh Juglall 11 51 205 5.37 14 Athandiwe Mgudlwa 10 47 217 4.61 15 Jessen Vyapooree 8 44 178 4.49 Apprentice Race Results June 2010 By Karla Higgs DATE RACECOURSE APPRENTICE RACE RESULTS 01/07/10 Vaal Evert Pheiffer 1 win Donavan Mansour 3 places Nooresh Juglall 2 places Tshwaro Appie 1 place 02/07/10 Scottsville Aldo Domeyer 1 win Athandiwe Mgudlwa 1 win Niven Marday 1 place Hennie Greyling 2 places Teaque Gould 1 place Doctor Sifiso Lembethe 1 place 03/07/10 Borrowdale Donavan Mansour 1 win & 4 places 03/07/10 Clairwood Hennie Greyling 1 win Athandiwe Mgudlwa 1 place 04/07/10 Turffontein Juan Paul van der Merwe 1 win & 1 place Evert Pheiffer 1 place 04/07/10 Kenilworth Aldo Domeyer 2 wins & 2 places Gareth Wright 2 places Grant van Niekerk 4 places Jesen Vyapooree 1 place Neo Qaule 1 place 05/07/10 Arlington Anthony Andrews 1 place Justine Blue Eyes King 1 place 11
06/07/10 Scottsville Hennie Greyling 2 places Victor Morake 1 place Melishini Pillay 1 place Teaque Gould 1 place 07/07/10 Kenilworth Grant van Niekerk 1 win & 3 places Gareth Wright 2 places Jesen Vyapooree 1 place 08/07/10 Vaal Tshwaro Appie 1 win Evert Pheiffer 2 places Ryan Roy Curling 1 place Nooresh Juglall 1 place Jassurick Jordaan 1 place Teaque Gould 1 place Juan Paul van der Merwe 2 places Hennie Greyling 1 place 09/07/10 Greyville Aldo Domeyer 1 place Athandiwe Mgudlwa 2 places Jassurick Jordaan 1 place 09/07/10 Fairview Justine Blue Eyes King 1 win & 2 places Anthony Andrews 1 place 10/07/10 Borrowdale Aldo Domeyer 2 wins & 2 places Donavan Mansour 1 win & 3 places 10/07/10 Turffontein Evert Pheiffer 2 places Juan Paul van der Merwe 2 places 11/07/10 Clairwood Aldo Domeyer 1 win & 2 places Jassurick Jordaan 1 place Doctor Sifiso Lembethe 1 place 13/07/10 Flamingo Park Evert Pheiffer 1 win & 3 places Juan Paul van der Merwe 1 win & 1 place Tshwaro Appie 1 place 13/07/10 Durbanville Neo Qaule 1 win Grant van Niekerk 4 places Niven Marday 1 place 14/07/10 Scottsville Jassurick Jordaan 1 win & 2 places Aldo Domeyer 2 places Donavan Mansour 3 places 15/07/10 Vaal Evert Pheiffer 1 win & 1 place Juan Paul van der Merwe 2 places Nooresh Juglall 1 place 17/07/10 Turffontein Juan Paul van der Merwe 2 wins & 2 places Victor Morake 1 win Nooresh Juglall 1 place Evert Pheiffer 1 place Donavan Mansour 1 place 17/07/10 Kenilworth Grant van Niekerk 2 wins & 3 places 18/07/10 Kenilworth Gareth Wright 1 win Grant van Niekerk 1 win & 1 place 18/07/10 Clairwood Teaque Gould 1 win (Congrats on your 1 st win) Evert Pheiffer 1 win Jassurick Jordaan 2 places Nooresh Juglall 1 place 12
Vikram Sola 2 places Donavan Mansour 1 place 19/07/10 Flamingo Park Tshwaro Appie 1 win & 1 place Evert Pheiffer 1 place Juan Paul van der Merwe 1 place 20/07/10 Durbanville Grant van Niekerk 2 places Gareth Wright 1 place Neo Qaule 1 place 21/07/10 Scottsville Aldo Domeyer 1 win & 1 place Jassurick Jordaan 1 win Hennie Greyling 1 place 22/07/10 Vaal Donavan Mansour 1 win & 1 place Ryan Roy Curling 1 place Evert Pheiffer 1 place Nooresh Juglall 1 place Juan Paul van der Merwe 2 places 23/07/10 Arlington Justine Blue Eyes King 1 place Jonathan Soll 1 place 24/07/10 Turffontein Juan Paul van der Merwe 1 win & 1 place Ryan Roy Curling 1 win Donavan Mansour 1 place Tshwaro Appie 2 places Nooresh Juglall 1 place 24/07/10 Kenilworth Gareth Wright 1 win Niven Marday 1 win Grant van Niekerk 2 places 25/07/10 Borrowdale Donavan Mansour 1 win & 3 places 25/07/10 Scottsville Sanele Duma 1 win (Congrats on your 1 st win) Aldo Domeyer 3 places Hennie Greyling 1 place Juan Paul van der Merwe 2 places 26/07/10 Flamingo Park Juan Paul van der Merwe 8 places 27/07/10 Vaal Donavan Mansour 4 places Juan Paul van der Merwe 1 place Evert Pheiffer 1 place 28/07/10 Fairview Jonathan Soll 3 places Justine Blue Eyes King 1 place 29/07/10 Vaal Ryan Roy Curling 1 win & 1 place Donavan Mansour 2 places Juan Paul van der Merwe 3 places Nooresh Juglall 1 place 30/07/10 Fairview Jonathan Soll 1 win 31/07/10 Turffontein Nooresh Juglall 1 win & 2 places Donavan Mansour 1 place 31/07/10 Greyville Vodacom Durban July Juan Paul van der Merwe 2 wins (well done JP!) Jassurick Jordaan 1 win & 1 place Aldo Domeyer 3 places 13
Ending off with a smile At one point during a soccer match, the coach said to one of his young players, 'Do you understand what co-operation is? What a team is?' The little boy nodded in the affirmative. Do you understand that what matters is how we play together as a team?' The little boy nodded yes. 'So, 'the coach continued, 'When offside is given, or a foul is not seen, you don't argue or swear or attack the referee. Do you understand all that?' Again the little boy nodded. 'Good, 'said the coach, 'Now go over there and explain it to your mother.' THE SOUTH AFRICAN JOCKEY ACADEMY WISHES NELSON MANDELA A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY HERE S TO MANY MORE MADIBA! FUNDERS The South African Jockey Academy s monthly Newsletter is compiled by Charles Grey Marketing Manager. Tel: 031 769 1103. Cell: 082 454 8808. E-mail marketing@theacademy.co.za 14